It's Frieze Week, the NAACP Image Awards are live from Pasadena, and Brandi Carlile's at the Forum. Here's where to actually spend your time in LA this weekend.
If you live in LA long enough, you learn that February is secretly the city's best month. The weather's doing its thing, award season's wrapping up, and the entire art world physically relocates here for a week. This weekend? It's all happening at once, and honestly, I've never had this much trouble narrowing a list down.
Frieze Los Angeles takes over Santa Monica Airport (with Felix Art Fair, gallery openings, and about forty after-parties trailing behind it), the 57th NAACP Image Awards go live from the Pasadena Civic, and the music calendar is absolutely stacked, from Brandi Carlile to Daveed Diggs' noise-rap project to a Legends of Hip-Hop showcase at the Peacock Theater. Oh, and there's soccer, basketball, hockey, and a run through Chinatown.
I built this list by cross-checking everything on AllEvents, scrubbing bad dates (there were a lot this week), searching for what's actually confirmed, and then walking through what I'd genuinely recommend based on a decade-plus of chasing good nights in this city. The mix leans culture-heavy because that's what February in LA demands, but there's plenty of noise and sweat in here too.
Events are loosely ordered by day and vibe, not ranked. Each one tells you what it is, why it matters, who should go, when it's happening, and the practical details. Skip around, bookmark what calls to you, and check AllEvents for tickets and updates.
What: The seventh edition of Frieze's LA fair, featuring roughly 100 galleries from around the world showing contemporary art across a purpose-built venue at Santa Monica Airport. This is the centerpiece of LA Art Week.
Why go: Frieze is the gravitational center of the entire week. Every serious gallery in the city times their openings around it, so you're not just seeing the fair, you're stepping into a citywide moment. The curated sections are strong this year, and the site-specific installations along the tarmac have become a thing unto themselves. Even if you're not buying, the people-watching alone is worth admission.
Who it's for: Art lovers, culture tourists, anyone who wants to say they were at Frieze. Also couples who want a date that looks good on Instagram.
When: Thursday, February 26 through Sunday, March 1. Public hours Friday-Sunday, 11AM-7PM (Sunday closes at 5PM).
Need to know: Santa Monica Airport, 3233 Donald Douglas Loop South. Tickets start around $52 for day passes and go up significantly for VIP/multi-day. Uber or Lyft recommended; parking is limited and the nearby streets get chaotic. Check AllEvents for ticket options. The Felix Art Fair at the Hollywood Roosevelt (also through March 1) makes a great pairing if you want to gallery-hop across town.
What: Brandi Carlile brings her arena tour to the Kia Forum with The Head and the Heart opening, performing material from her Grammy-winning catalog plus newer work.
Why go: There are maybe five artists in the world right now who can fill a 17,500-seat room and make it feel like a living room, and Brandi Carlile is absolutely one of them. Her live shows are legendary for a reason: she builds to moments that have entire sections of strangers crying together. The Head and the Heart as support is genuinely generous co-billing, not an afterthought opener.
Who it's for: Folk-rock devotees, people who peak emotionally during "The Joke," and anyone who appreciates a performer who leaves everything on stage. Bring tissues or don't, but you'll wish you had.
When: Friday, February 27. Doors at 6:30PM, show at 7:30PM.
Need to know: Kia Forum, Inglewood. Tickets range from $45 to $250+ depending on section. The Forum's parking situation is always a project, so plan to arrive early or rideshare. Food options inside are standard arena fare, so eat beforehand. This is the only LA date on this leg.
What: The annual live broadcast celebrating excellence in film, television, music, and literature, hosted by Deon Cole, airing live on BET and CBS from the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. Colman Domingo receives the President's Award.
Why go: Even if you don't have tickets to the ceremony itself (they're pricey and limited), the entire Pasadena Civic corridor lights up for NAACP Image Awards weekend. There's a Friday night reception and fashion show, and a Sunday brunch, plus the energy of a major cultural event radiating through Old Town Pasadena. If you do score a seat, it's one of the most electric award shows you can attend in person.
Who it's for: Film and TV enthusiasts, anyone who wants to celebrate Black excellence in entertainment, and people who appreciate a show that actually moves quickly.
When: Saturday, February 28. Live broadcast at 5PM PT (8PM ET).
Need to know: Pasadena Civic Auditorium, 300 East Green Street. Tickets through Ticketmaster, starting around $100 with VIP packages running into the thousands. The surrounding area has great restaurants for pre-show dinner. Image Artscape events happen throughout the weekend.
What: Eric Floyd's Legends of Hip-Hop brings Big Daddy Kane, Doug E. Fresh, Teddy Riley, KRS-One, Kool Moe Dee, Kurtis Blow, Melle Mel & Scorpio from The Furious Five, Wanda Dee, and Planet Patrol to the Peacock Theater for a single-night greatest-hits showcase.
Why go: This is the kind of bill you look at and think "wait, all of them? Same stage?" Yes, all of them. These aren't legacy acts sleepwalking through nostalgia, either. Big Daddy Kane still moves like it's 1988, Doug E. Fresh's beatboxing is still inhuman, and Teddy Riley built the blueprint that half of modern R&B is still tracing. This is a masterclass in hip-hop history that you can dance to.
Who it's for: Hip-hop heads over 30 (or any age, really), parents who want to show their kids what "bars" actually meant, and anyone who missed the golden era the first time.
When: Friday, February 27. Doors 6PM, show 7PM.
Need to know: Peacock Theater (formerly Microsoft Theater), Downtown LA at L.A. Live. Tickets from around $60-$150 via AXS. Surrounded by restaurants and bars, so it's easy to make a night of it. Parking in the L.A. Live structures is $20-$30.
What: A one-night-only stadium concert from Gloria Trevi, the undisputed queen of Mexican pop, at BMO Stadium (the LAFC home pitch in Exposition Park). This is being billed as a landmark event.
Why go: Gloria Trevi doesn't do one-night-only unless it's a statement, and this is a statement. She's one of the most electric live performers in any language, the kind of artist who makes a 22,000-capacity soccer stadium feel intimate through sheer force of personality. The fact that this is being staged at BMO, with a full production build-out, signals something big. Don't sleep on it.
Who it's for: Latin music fans, anyone who grew up on Trevi and wants to relive it, and the adventurous listener who doesn't need to understand every lyric to feel the show in their chest.
When: Saturday, February 28 at 8PM.
Need to know: BMO Stadium, 3939 S Figueroa St, Exposition Park. Tickets from around $50-$300. Take the Metro Expo Line to Expo Park/USC station for the easiest arrival. Street parking is brutal here on event nights. Dress for a cool evening since it's an open-air venue.
What: Gustavo Dudamel leads the LA Phil in Beethoven's Seventh Symphony alongside a newer work by Mexican-American composer Gabriela Ortiz, with the Los Angeles Master Chorale joining for a program that bridges two centuries. Multiple performances this weekend at Walt Disney Concert Hall.
Why go: This is Dudamel's final season as Music & Artistic Director, and every program he conducts now has a "last time" weight to it. The Beethoven Seventh is one of those pieces that makes you forget you're sitting still, all rhythmic propulsion and joy, and pairing it with Gabriela Ortiz's work is exactly the kind of programming that made Dudamel's tenure matter. Disney Hall's acoustics do the rest.
Who it's for: Classical music lovers, architecture nerds who just want an excuse to be inside Gehry's masterpiece, and anyone who wants to witness a conductor's farewell season in real time.
When: Friday, February 27 at 8PM; Saturday, February 28 at 2PM (matinee); Sunday, March 1 at 2PM (matinee).
Need to know: Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S Grand Ave, Downtown LA. Tickets from $30-$200+ through the LA Phil website. The Saturday and Sunday matinees are nice because you can pair them with dinner afterward. Parking in the Disney Hall garage is $9 with validation.
What: Daveed Diggs' experimental hip-hop/noise group clipping. brings their abrasive, boundary-shredding live show to the Fonda, with Open Mike Eagle opening. This is the final stop on their current tour leg.
Why go: If you only know Daveed Diggs from Hamilton or Blindspotting, clipping. will rearrange your understanding of what he does. This is industrial hip-hop that sounds like a subway car derailing in the best possible way, beats built from power tools and feedback, with Diggs rapping over the chaos with surgical precision. It's not for everyone, and that's exactly the point. Open Mike Eagle opening is a gift, too.
Who it's for: People who think hip-hop peaked at safe and want something that actually makes them uncomfortable. Noise music fans. Anyone who appreciates Diggs beyond his Broadway persona.
When: Saturday, February 28. Doors 8PM, show 9PM.
Need to know: The Fonda Theatre, 6126 Hollywood Blvd. Tickets from $35-$55. The Fonda is standing room (mostly), so wear comfortable shoes. Hollywood is Hollywood on a Saturday night, so expect the usual parking chaos. Rideshare or take the Red Line to Hollywood/Vine.
What: German singer-songwriter and producer Monolink (Steffen Linck) brings his "Beauty of It All" tour to The Wiltern, blending organic house, melodic techno, and live guitar into a cinematic live experience.
Why go: Monolink occupies this unique space where electronic music meets actual songwriting, and his live shows lean heavily into that duality. He'll play guitar over his own productions, sing with real vulnerability, and build sets that crescendo like a film score. The Wiltern's art deco interior only amplifies the atmosphere. If you've seen the Cercle sets on YouTube, the live version is even better.
Who it's for: Fans of Rüfüs Du Sol, Ben Böhmer, and the melodic side of dance music. Also anyone who wants a Friday night that feels expansive without the sensory assault of a festival.
When: Friday, February 27. Doors 7PM, show 8PM.
Need to know: The Wiltern, 3790 Wilshire Blvd at Western. Tickets from $42-$80. It's a general admission show, so arriving early means better positioning. Metro Purple Line to Wilshire/Western drops you right there. Parallelle opens.
What: Insomniac's house and techno festival returns for its 2026 edition at the new ACE*Mission Studios location, featuring multiple stages across two days with a lineup deep in underground and headlining electronic talent.
Why go: Skyline has quietly become LA's best pure dance music festival, and the move to ACE*Mission Studios gives it more room to breathe. The lineup splits across Downtown, East Side, and West Side stages with distinct vibes, from Marco Carola and I Hate Models holding it down on the harder end, to Avalon Emerson and SPFDJ pushing the experimental edges, to Ben UFO doing what Ben UFO always does. Richie Hawtin on Saturday. Eli Brown back-to-back on Saturday night.
Who it's for: House and techno heads who want proper sound systems and curated lineups without Coachella-level crowds. People who peaked at Fabric and never came down.
When: Saturday, February 28 (3PM-late) and Sunday, March 1 (3PM-late).
Need to know: ACE*Mission Studios, DTLA area. Two-day passes around $150-$200; single-day available. 21+ for some stages, check the fine print. Comfortable shoes mandatory. Hydrate.
What: Guatemalan singer-songwriter Ricardo Arjona, one of Latin America's most successful touring artists, brings his current tour to the brand-new Intuit Dome for a single arena show.
Why go: Arjona is the kind of artist who sells out arenas across Central and South America without most English-speaking Americans having any idea who he is, which is their loss. His songwriting is poetic and emotionally direct, and the live production on this tour has been getting rave reviews. The Intuit Dome is also still new enough that everything about the venue experience feels premium.
Who it's for: Latin music fans, the entire Guatemalan and Central American diaspora of LA (which is massive), and curious listeners who want to experience an arena show outside the English-language mainstream.
When: Saturday, February 28 at 8PM.
Need to know: Intuit Dome, 3930 W Century Blvd, Inglewood. Tickets from $98-$400+. The Intuit Dome's "no cash" policy is real, so bring a card. Parking is pre-purchase only through the venue app. The Forum and Intuit Dome are neighbors, so the area will be very busy this weekend.
What: Comedian Anjelah Johnson-Reyes tapes her next stand-up special at the El Rey Theatre with two shows, a 5PM early and 8PM late taping.
Why go: Special tapings are genuinely different from regular shows. The energy in the room is heightened because everyone knows this is the version that lives forever, and performers tend to be extra dialed in. Anjelah's material draws from her Salvadoran-Mexican upbringing, married life, and pop culture observations with a sweetness that never feels saccharine. The El Rey is also one of LA's best mid-size rooms.
Who it's for: Comedy fans who want to be in the audience for something that'll eventually stream. Couples looking for a Saturday date that doesn't require dressing up too much.
When: Saturday, February 28. Early show 5PM, late show 8PM (doors one hour before).
Need to know: El Rey Theatre, 5515 Wilshire Blvd, Miracle Mile. All ages. Tickets via AXS, generally $35-$65. Being a taping, there will be re-shoots and audience direction, so plan for it to run longer than a standard set. Street parking on Wilshire is possible but competitive.
What: The Tony Award-winning musical that retells the stories of Henry VIII's six wives as a pop concert, currently on its national tour with a run at the Hollywood Pantages through March 8.
Why go: Look, I resisted SIX for a while because the concept sounded gimmicky. I was wrong. It's 80 minutes of pure momentum, the cast is uniformly incredible, and the songs genuinely slap. "Ex-Wives" is a banger. "All You Wanna Do" is devastating. The whole thing moves at a pace that makes traditional musicals feel like they're trudging through mud. At 80 minutes with no intermission, it respects your time in a way very few shows do.
Who it's for: Musical theater fans, people who think they don't like musicals (this might convert you), history buffs who appreciate revisionism, and anyone who wants a quick, satisfying night out.
When: Multiple showtimes this weekend. Friday 8PM, Saturday 2PM & 8PM, Sunday 1PM & 6:30PM.
Need to know: Hollywood Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd. Tickets from $49-$200+. The Pantages itself is gorgeous, one of the last great movie palace conversions. Grab dinner on the boulevard before or after. Street parking or the structure on Argyle.
What: NHL regular season hockey, the Kings hosting Calgary at Crypto.com Arena in what's become a quietly competitive Pacific Division matchup.
Why go: The Kings are in the thick of a playoff push, and games at Crypto.com Arena this time of year have a tension that regular season hockey doesn't always carry. The arena experience has gotten better in recent years, the sight lines are excellent from almost any seat, and Saturday evening hockey is one of those things that just works as a plan.
Who it's for: Hockey fans, transplants from Calgary who refuse to assimilate, and anyone who wants a Saturday sports fix before heading out for the night.
When: Saturday, February 28 at 5PM.
Need to know: Crypto.com Arena, 1111 S Figueroa St, Downtown LA. Tickets from around $40-$200. The 5PM start is unusual and actually nice because it leaves your evening free. L.A. Live restaurants and bars are right there for pre-and-post. The arena is Metro accessible (Pico Station).
What: A new production of Peter Shaffer's Tony-winning play about the rivalry between Mozart and Salieri, directed by Darko Tresnjak and starring Jefferson Mays as Salieri. Running through March 15.
Why go: Jefferson Mays is one of those theater actors who makes you forget you're watching a performance, and the reviews out of Pasadena have been consistently rapturous. His Salieri is apparently less mustache-twirling villain, more broken genius watching someone better waltz past him, which is way more interesting. Pasadena Playhouse is also a gem of a venue that doesn't get enough love from the Westside crowd.
Who it's for: Theater lovers, anyone who's seen the movie but never the play, and people who appreciate a 90-minute drive to Pasadena for something that's actually worth it.
When: Friday 8PM, Saturday 2PM & 8PM, Sunday 2PM & 7PM.
Need to know: Pasadena Playhouse, 39 S El Molino Ave. Tickets from $40-$130. Old Town Pasadena is walking distance for dinner. If you're doing NAACP weekend activities too, you're already in the neighborhood.
What: A beloved annual tradition celebrating Lunar New Year with 5K and 10K runs, a kids' race, a dog run/walk, and a bike ride through the streets of historic Chinatown, plus a community festival.
Why go: This is one of those LA events that's been around long enough (48 years!) to feel genuinely essential. The vibe is community-first, colorful, and joyful. Even if you're not running, the festival atmosphere around Chinatown Plaza is worth the trip, with food vendors, performances, and the energy of a neighborhood that's been celebrating this way for nearly half a century.
Who it's for: Runners of all levels, families with kids (the Kiddie Run is adorable), dog people (the Paw'er Dog Run exists and it's exactly what it sounds like), and anyone who wants to feel like part of something bigger than their usual weekend.
When: Saturday, February 28 and Sunday, March 1. Races start early (7:30AM), festival continues through the afternoon.
Need to know: Chinatown Central Plaza, 943 N Broadway. Registration from $0-$75 depending on the event. This is a morning activity, so set an alarm. Metro Gold Line to Chinatown station is the move. Wear layers since February mornings are chilly even in LA.
What: David Byrne and Fatboy Slim's groundbreaking disco-infused musical about the rise and fall of Imelda Marcos, staged by Center Theatre Group with an all-Filipino cast and immersive production at the Taper.
Why go: The Taper production has been getting the kind of reviews that make it sound essential. The all-Filipino cast brings an authenticity that deepens the material, and the disco-as-political-commentary framework still feels razor-sharp. It's also a genuinely immersive experience: parts of the audience move, the staging collapses the distance between performer and viewer, and you leave feeling like you were inside the story rather than watching it.
Who it's for: Theater lovers, David Byrne completists, anyone interested in Philippine history told through an unexpected lens, and people who want their musical theater with a pulse.
When: Friday 8PM, Saturday 2PM & 8PM, Sunday 1PM & 6:30PM.
Need to know: Mark Taper Forum, 135 N Grand Ave, Downtown LA. Tickets from $35-$125 through Center Theatre Group. The Music Center complex has its own parking garage. Pair it with a walk through Grand Park or dinner at one of the DTLA spots nearby.
What: Sunday, March 1 is a pivot day at MOCA Grand Avenue. "Diary of Flowers: Artists and their Worlds" closes (free admission), while "Haegue Yang: Star-Crossed Rendezvous," a major new installation by the Korean artist, opens the same day.
Why go: Getting a closing and an opening on the same day at the same museum is rare and kind of perfect for a single visit. "Diary of Flowers" has been a quiet favorite all winter, an intimate exhibition about the relationship between artists and the natural world that rewards slow looking. Haegue Yang's work, involving kinetic sculptures and Venetian blinds used in ways you wouldn't expect, should be a sharp contrast. Also: MOCA is always free on Sundays.
Who it's for: Art lovers who appreciate a twofer, Frieze Week visitors who want to extend their cultural immersion, and anyone who likes free museum visits.
When: Sunday, March 1. Museum open 11AM-5PM.
Need to know: MOCA Grand Avenue, 250 S Grand Ave. Free on Sundays (always). The "Fictions of Display" and "Tracing Performance" exhibitions also close March 1, so there's even more to see on last-chance day. DTLA location makes it stackable with Disney Hall, Grand Park, or Little Tokyo.
What: Cosm's immersive dome in Inglewood projects Cirque du Soleil's "Mystère" across an 87-foot wraparound LED screen in 12K+ resolution, no headset required. It's Cirque, but you're inside it.
Why go: The Cosm dome is one of those LA experiences that still feels slightly sci-fi. Watching "Mystère," which is already visually spectacular, projected at that scale with spatial audio is genuinely transporting. It's not the same as seeing Cirque live, but it's not trying to be. It's something else entirely, and honestly, the wow factor is real.
Who it's for: Tech-curious arts fans, families looking for something that'll genuinely blow kids' minds, Cirque enthusiasts, and anyone who wants a conversation-starting outing.
When: Friday, February 27 at 7PM (Happy Hour showtime at 3PM too); Saturday, February 28 at 7:30PM.
Need to know: Cosm Los Angeles, 1252 District Drive, Inglewood. Dome tickets from $41. Food and drinks available inside. Near the Intuit Dome and Kia Forum, so you can combine with other Inglewood events. Saturday Feb 28 also has a WWE Elimination Chamber watch party at 4PM if that's more your speed.
What: The reigning MLS Cup champions kick off their 2026 home schedule against Charlotte FC at Dignity Health Sports Park, looking to defend their title in what should be an electric season-opening atmosphere.
Why go: Home openers after a championship are a specific kind of magic. The banner goes up, the crowd is riding high from last year, and there's a preseason optimism that makes even a match against Charlotte feel significant. The Galaxy's roster moves this offseason have been aggressive, and the front office clearly isn't treating this as a victory-lap year.
Who it's for: Soccer fans, people who've been meaning to go to a Galaxy game, and anyone who wants to see a championship banner raise without paying NBA prices.
When: Saturday, February 28 at 7:30PM.
Need to know: Dignity Health Sports Park, 18400 S Avalon Blvd, Carson. Tickets from $30-$150. Parking is $25 on-site. Carson is a bit of a trek from central LA, so plan accordingly. Tailgating culture is real here.
What: Singer-songwriter Lera Lynn, known for her haunting contributions to True Detective Season 2, brings her full band to the Troubadour for an intimate Saturday night show with Peter Bradley Adams opening.
Why go: The Troubadour is one of those rooms where the ghosts of every legend who's played there seem to lean in and listen. At roughly 500 capacity, you're close enough to hear the room breathe, and Lera Lynn's dark, smoky sound is built for exactly this kind of space. Her new album reportedly pushes further into atmospheric territory, and hearing it in a room this small is a privilege that won't last once the word spreads.
Who it's for: Singer-songwriter devotees, True Detective completists, and anyone who wants a Saturday night that feels like a secret, even though it's on Sunset.
When: Saturday, February 28. Doors 7PM.
Need to know: Troubadour, 9081 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood. Tickets $25-$28, which is absurdly cheap for a venue this iconic. Cash bar. Street parking on Santa Monica Blvd or side streets. Peter Bradley Adams opens and is worth arriving early for.
Mazatlán Banda Fest – La Original Banda el Limón, Banda Carnaval, and Banda Rancho Viejo at the Santa Fe Springs Swap Meet on Saturday from 5PM. It's a banda block party and the energy is unmatched. Tickets from $36.
Ty Dolla $ign: Tycoon Live Experience – Rescheduled from November, the REAL92.3-presented show at Hollywood Palladium on Saturday at 7PM is still listed on Ticketmaster, though Songkick shows it as canceled. Verify before buying.
Lakers vs Sacramento Kings – Sunday, March 1 at 6:30PM at Crypto.com Arena. Late-season Western Conference matchup with playoff implications on both sides. Tickets from $39.
Dimitri Vegas at Avalon Hollywood – Saturday night starting at 10PM if you want a proper EDM club night after whatever else you do that day. 21+. Tickets from $40.
LA Chinatown Firecracker Bike Ride – Part of the Firecracker weekend, Saturday's 20- and 50-mile bike rides leave from Chinatown Plaza if you prefer two wheels to two feet.
Alhambra Lunar New Year Festival – Saturday, 9AM-5PM on Main Street. Free admission, family-friendly, with food, performances, and community spirit celebrating Year of the Horse.
Sylvia Sylvia Sylvia at Geffen Playhouse – Running through March 8. The Geffen rarely misses, and this new play has been generating real buzz since previews opened.
Is this Frieze Week in LA?
Yes. Frieze Los Angeles runs February 26 through March 1 at Santa Monica Airport, with Felix Art Fair at the Hollywood Roosevelt and dozens of gallery openings across the city happening simultaneously. This is the biggest art week in LA's calendar.
What's the biggest concert in LA this weekend?
Brandi Carlile at the Kia Forum on Friday is the marquee music event, with Ricardo Arjona at Intuit Dome and Gloria Trevi at BMO Stadium as major Saturday headliners. The Legends of Hip-Hop showcase at Peacock Theater is also massive.
Are there free things to do in LA this weekend?
MOCA is free on Sundays (with "Diary of Flowers" closing and "Haegue Yang" opening on March 1). The Getty Center is always free. The Alhambra Lunar New Year Festival is free. Gallery openings across the city during Frieze Week are generally free.
What's happening at the NAACP Image Awards?
The 57th NAACP Image Awards air live from Pasadena Civic Auditorium on Saturday, February 28 at 5PM PT on BET and CBS. Colman Domingo receives the President's Award. Deon Cole hosts.
What sporting events are in LA this weekend?
LA Kings vs Calgary Flames (Saturday 5PM), LA Galaxy vs Charlotte FC (Saturday 7:30PM), and Lakers vs Sacramento Kings (Sunday 6:30PM). The Chinatown Firecracker 5K/10K runs Saturday and Sunday mornings.
Where can I find and save events in LA?
AllEvents is a solid resource for discovering, saving, and bookmarking events across the city, especially for music, cultural, and community happenings.
LA doesn't slow down in February. It accelerates. Grab your picks, check for ticket availability, and make this weekend count. The art world's watching, the bandas are playing, and Brandi Carlile's about to make 17,000 people cry on a Friday. Go be part of it.
